The Minister of Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, argued that fixing fuel prices should be considered a "last resort" measure. The position was expressed in the context of debates about the continuous increase in energy and fuel prices.
The minister argues that the market must function freely and that the State should act through taxes and support, rather than intervening directly in price fixing. This position reflects the government's orientation in favor of market policies.
Maria da Graça Carvalho recalled that there are other public policy instruments that can be used to protect the most vulnerable consumers, without resorting to price fixing, which she considers an extreme and potentially market-distorting measure.
